Defense Minister Israel Katz on Monday instructed the IDF's Home Front Command and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to draft a multi-year plan within two months, prioritizing the fortification of strategic facilities against earthquake-related risks.
This comes after two notable earthquakes hit Israel in the past week: one in the Dead Sea area and the other in northern Israel.
Katz declared 2026 and 2027 as "critical preparedness years" for earthquake response.
The plan is expected to focus on several urgent areas, including upgrading early warning systems, improving control and coordination among different emergency agencies, and accelerating the fortification of sensitive and strategic facilities.
In addition, a decision was made to clarify the respective responsibilities of the Defense and National Security Ministries in the event of a civil emergency, to streamline bureaucracy and prevent any overlap or "vacuum" in managing a potential disaster.
A critical part of the plan concerns local authorities, which are treated as a critical force multiplier in the event of a disaster.
Oversight committee has Ben-Gvir, Levin, other senior defense officials
The committee, which included National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Justice Minister Yariv Levin, as well as other senior police and military officials, decided that it would promote regulations requiring comprehensive training for local authorities and provide a government framework for addressing homelessness, which is becoming increasingly tangible in the event of a future earthquake.
Katz emphasized that the conclusions drawn from the Israel-Iran war, as well as the Israel-Hamas War, are being integrated into preparedness plans, with the understanding that the civilian front must be prepared for any extreme scenario.
The committee is expected to reconvene in two months' time to review and approve the details of the full plan and its implementation.